Curious & Unusual Deaths
Updated 10/22/2023
Curious & Unusual Deaths is the topical equivalent of the fatalities junk-drawer. Any curious or unusual death that doesn't fall into one of the several other webpage categories of "Accidental", "Canal-Related", "Epidemics or Illnesses", "Manslaughter or Murder", "Railroad-Related" or "Suicides" gets thrown into this category.
Not all Auburn-area deaths will be covered in our website...that would be highly impractical. However, those deaths that are in same manner "curious", "unusual" or otherwise "unique" will be contained within this webpage to satiate the human-interest aspect of our readers. |
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BERGER, Abraham - The following newspaper article from an uncertain source, believed to have been printed circa 1890, read as follows: "DEATH DUE TO STARVATION. Abraham Berger, Aged About 70 Years, Found in an Outhouse. - Abraham Berger, aged apparently about 70 years, with a long flowing white beard, was found in an outhouse near the disposal plant in a weak and helpless condition, on Saturday afternoon. A telephone communication was at once sent from the Mountain View Hotel, on Fritz's island, to the police station apprising the authorities of the stranger's condition. Patrol Driver Kissinger at once proceeded to the place and the sick man was brought to this city and later Reading Hose ambulance conveyed him to the Reading hospital, where the physicians did everything in their power to relieve the unfortunate man. Assistance was too late, however, and about 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon he died. The hospital authorities announce that death was primarily due to starvation. On Berger's person was found a pension certificate drawn to his order for $24 and addressed to Auburn, Schuylkill county. Last evening it was learned that Berger, who was apparently feeble-minded, was brought into police station on Thursday morning by Officer Seiling. No Charge other than he was unable to take care of himself was lodged against the old man, and upon promising to leave for home at once where he could be properly taken care of, he was allowed to depart. To the hospital authorities he gave his age as 60 years, and also stated he had a family. His home at Auburn was with Mrs. Carrie Fair, who was at once notified of the death, as was also Coroner Rothermel, who will look into the matter at once."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Abraham was born in Schuylkill County circa February 2, 1842, a son of Abraham and Rebecca Tomlinson Berger. He served from October 21, 1861 until August 23, 1865 in the 7th PA Cavalry, Company F, 116th Regiment during the Civil War. Abraham Berger's death was even more regrettable when consideration was given to his veteran's status during the Civil War. Another troubling aspect of the poor man's death was that estimates of his age, based on his appearance at time of death, were "about 70 years", while Abraham stated his age as about 60 years old. He was only 56 years old when he died of starvation. Abraham died on 07/10/1898 and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
BIGG, Russell Scott - The lead line of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper dated June 20, 1993 read "Pottsville, PA". The headline read "Man wounds police, gets killed". The story claims that a "Russell Scott Bigg", 24 (years old) was caught burglarizing a house. Scott allegedly fired upon the responding police officers and injured two of them. The police then returned fire and fatally wounded the suspect (Bigg).
The website findagrave.com lists a Russell Scott Bigg as being interred within the Auburn Church of God Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. According to records, his date of birth was January 26, 1969 and his date of death is June 19, 1993. His age at death would have been 24...which was the cited age of the offender. His date of death was one day prior to the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper article date, which would correspond with the implied date of death of the burglar. Russell Scott Bigg was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, on 01/26/1969. He was the son of William Bigg Sr. and Patricia Vandmeer Bigg. He presumably was a brother of at least William Bigg Jr. Russell was shot during the course of committing a burglary and firing upon police officers responding to the scene of the crime. He was killed as a result of the returned gunfire. He died in Pottsville on 06/19/1993 and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. While in presently is unconfirmed as to whether the "Russell Scott Bigg" buried within the Auburn Church of God Cemetery was the same "Russell Scott Bigg" mentioned in the article, the likelihood of two individuals of the same age, with the same first name, middle name and surname, both being linked to Schuylkill County, and both whom died on, or around, June 19, 1993 greatly increases the probability that this is the same individual. As a result, being fatally shot by police while in the commission of a crime would qualify as a "curious or unusual death". |
DIEFENDERFER, Guy Herbert Sr. Guy's death itself may not have been unusual, but as a "curiosity" Guy was born on August 16, 1889 and died exactly 61 years later on his "birthday" of August 16, 1950.
The statistical odds of dying on your birthday (one year of age or older) would logically seem to be the same as dying on any other date of the year...1/365 (or 1/366 on leap years); in other words, less than 1/3 of one percent chance of doing so. However, a 2012 study in the journal Annals of Epidemiology found a much higher probability (about 14 percent) that people over 60 will die on their birthdays. That study, which analyzed more than 2 million deaths, found that strokes and heart attacks rose 18.6 percent and 21.5 percent, respectively, on birthdays. The average death rate on people's birthdays is 6.7 percent higher than what you'd otherwise normally expect on that day, according to an analysis from University of Chicago economics researcher Pablo Pena. Young people between 20-29 years old have an excess death rate of 25.4 percent —perhaps a sign of birthday celebrations gone wrong. So, when you are about to blow out your birthday cake candles this year, perhaps you should reconsider what you may wish for... Guy Herbert Diefenderfer Sr. (once a proprietor of the Auburn Knitting Mills) was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on 08/16/1889. He was the son of William Henry Diefenderfer (an original proprietor of the Auburn Knitting Mills) and Sebilla Faust Moyer Diefender. He was a brother of Blanche Pauline Diefenderfer, Earnestine Moyer Diefenderfer Borkey, Hermie (Hermoine?) A. Diefenderfer Drumheller, Iva Martha Diefenderfer Fegley, Jennie (Jennifer?) E. Diefenderfer Leisey, Olie (Olive or Olivia?) Alberta Diefenderfer and Twyla Tyde Diefenderfer Wagner. Guy (Sr.) married Edith M. Reber Diefenderfer and they had at least two children: Guy Herbert Diefenderfer Jr. (who was a prior proprietor of the Auburn Knitting Mills as well) and Kathleen Jane Diefenderfer Swoyer. Guy died in Auburn on 08/16/1950 and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
HOY, Joseph -
"Auburn Youth Shot, Killed by Service Station Owner" - "A 19-year-old RD1 Auburn man was killed early this morning by the owner of a garage and service station who, Schuylkill Haven Police say, surprised him in the act of burglary. "
"Joseph ("Joe") E. Hoy was pronounced dead on the scene at 3:45 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Pete Yesanchak, Auburn."
"His body was taken to Pottsville Hospital where an autopsy will be performed by Dr. R. E. Hobbs, pathologist."
"According to police Charles H. Fix, 28, owner of Fix's Garage and Service Station, Route 895, a half mile west of Auburn, surprised Hoy at 3:15 a.m. in the garage which he had entered by breaking a window on the west side."
"Police, who are assisted in their investigation by Frank Evans, chief of county detectives, say charges may be brought against Fix at a later date."
"He was born in Pottsville (on October 20, 1852), a son of Charles (Edward) and Catherine (Irene) Greth (Fegely) Hoy. He was a 1971 graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, and had been employed at the Acadia plant which closed operations Friday."
"Mr. Hoy was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Summer Hill."
"Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his stepmother, Margaret L. McCleary Hoy at home; three brothers, his twin, Robert L. Hoy and William C. Hoy, both at home; Ernest E. Hoy, serving with the U.S. Army in Germany; stepbrothers, Terry and Gary, both at home; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Hoy, RD2 Pine Grove."
(Pottsville Republican, September 2, 1972)
Joseph "Joe" E. Hoy was born on 10/20/1952 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Charles Edward Hoy and Catherine Irene Greth Hoy Fegley (Charles was her first of two husbands); and a step-son of Margaret L. McCleary Hoy. He was a brother of Earnest E. Hoy, Robert L. Hoy (his twin brother) and William C. Hoy. He was a step-brother of Gary Hoy and Terry Hoy.
The website findagrave.com has no listing that Joseph ever married or had any children. He unfortunately was shot during his attempted break-in and robbery of a service station at night and died as a result of those injuries on 09/02/1972. He was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA.
"Auburn Youth Shot, Killed by Service Station Owner" - "A 19-year-old RD1 Auburn man was killed early this morning by the owner of a garage and service station who, Schuylkill Haven Police say, surprised him in the act of burglary. "
"Joseph ("Joe") E. Hoy was pronounced dead on the scene at 3:45 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Pete Yesanchak, Auburn."
"His body was taken to Pottsville Hospital where an autopsy will be performed by Dr. R. E. Hobbs, pathologist."
"According to police Charles H. Fix, 28, owner of Fix's Garage and Service Station, Route 895, a half mile west of Auburn, surprised Hoy at 3:15 a.m. in the garage which he had entered by breaking a window on the west side."
"Police, who are assisted in their investigation by Frank Evans, chief of county detectives, say charges may be brought against Fix at a later date."
"He was born in Pottsville (on October 20, 1852), a son of Charles (Edward) and Catherine (Irene) Greth (Fegely) Hoy. He was a 1971 graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, and had been employed at the Acadia plant which closed operations Friday."
"Mr. Hoy was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Summer Hill."
"Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his stepmother, Margaret L. McCleary Hoy at home; three brothers, his twin, Robert L. Hoy and William C. Hoy, both at home; Ernest E. Hoy, serving with the U.S. Army in Germany; stepbrothers, Terry and Gary, both at home; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Hoy, RD2 Pine Grove."
(Pottsville Republican, September 2, 1972)
Joseph "Joe" E. Hoy was born on 10/20/1952 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Charles Edward Hoy and Catherine Irene Greth Hoy Fegley (Charles was her first of two husbands); and a step-son of Margaret L. McCleary Hoy. He was a brother of Earnest E. Hoy, Robert L. Hoy (his twin brother) and William C. Hoy. He was a step-brother of Gary Hoy and Terry Hoy.
The website findagrave.com has no listing that Joseph ever married or had any children. He unfortunately was shot during his attempted break-in and robbery of a service station at night and died as a result of those injuries on 09/02/1972. He was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA.
SCHUCKER, Tracy Michael - Tracy Michael Schucker led a relatively uneventful life. He was born on 08/21/1896, the son of John H. Schucker (Delmonico Hotel of Auburn proprietor) and Ida Barr Schucker. He was a brother of Elmer F. Schucker, Harry R. Schucker, Lyman D. Schucker, Robert H. Schucker and William H. Schucker.
Tracy's unfortunate "claim to fame" in being listed on this webpage documenting "Curious and Unusual Deaths" is due to the fact that he died at the age of 24 from a tooth infection. Tracy died on 04/09/1921 and was interred within the St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA. |
SHANER, Annie G. - Annie G. Shaner was born on October, 1886 (presum-ably) in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She was a daughter of Andrew "Jackson" Jackson Shaner and Amanda Susan Hassler Shaner. She was a sister of Florence May Shaner (who lived only one year, ten months, two weeks) and William Andrew Shaner.
At age thirteen, Amanda was already employed by the "Diefenderfer & Co.'s underwear mill" (actually the Auburn Knitting Mills). On July 12, 1900, the young woman was a witness to an accident. Thomas Ebling and William Fahl (of Auburn) were driving through town in a buggy when the horse "became unmanageable and dashed away". The occupants were thrown from the buggy and both were seriously hurt, with Mr. Fahl having broken several ribs and sustained other internal injuries. Annie was reported as being "badly frightened" by the accident. Shortly thereafter, Annie began complaining of "feeling ill with a slight headache". Around midnight, her parents heard her moan, and upon entering her room found her in convulsions. A doctor was summoned but stated the case was "hopeless". She died at four o'clock (the news article does not specificy A.M. or P.M. but one might presume it was in the A.M.). (NOTE: A frightful occurence can trigger highly elevated levels of either cortisol, the "stress hormone", and/or adrenaline, another "stress-related hormone", either of which can cause convulsions or seizures depending upon the levels released and the individual's health). Annie died on July 13, 1900 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the family burial plot within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
STROUSE, Alice - "LOCAL WOMAN SERIOUSLY CHARGED - Mrs. Mary Kantner, of Number 32 William Street, waived a hearing before Alderman Freiler of Pottsville and entered bail in the sum of $2,000 for her appearance at the September term of criminal court. Mrs. Kantner was arrested by C. A. Davies of the State Police force, on a charge of malpractice, it being alleged that Mrs. Kantner performed an illegal operation upon Mrs. Alice Strouse, aged thirty-seven of Auburn. The latter died at her home in Auburn on the twenty seventh day of June last. A coroner's jury found that Mrs. Strouse came to her death by reason of an abortion performed upon her by Mrs. Kantner of Schuylkill Haven, to whom she was taken by a man unknown to the coroner's jury. The penalty in case of conviction for abortion is a fine not to exceed $500 and seven years at separate and solitary confinement at hard labor. It is alleged that the man in the case is a local resident." - The Call of July 13, 1917
(Note: The website findagrave.com has a listing for an Alice Mengel Strause who was born on 04/01/1886 and died 06/27/1917 at the age of 31 as having been interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, there exists multiple discrepancies with the individual named in the website and the individual who was mentioned in the above-cited article to include a different spelling of the surname, a different day and year of death and a difference in their ages; so it is uncertain as to whether or not this was the same individual.)
(Note: The website findagrave.com has a listing for an Alice Mengel Strause who was born on 04/01/1886 and died 06/27/1917 at the age of 31 as having been interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, there exists multiple discrepancies with the individual named in the website and the individual who was mentioned in the above-cited article to include a different spelling of the surname, a different day and year of death and a difference in their ages; so it is uncertain as to whether or not this was the same individual.)